New baseball season, coach, attitude

By By Alex Hickey / American PressThe differences are subtle, such as the stenciling on the front window of the McNeese State baseball complex listing the years the Cowboys have won Southland Conference titles

or reached NCAA regionals.

The message being delivered is clear, though: it is possible to win at McNeese.

No matter how subliminal, that positive

reinforcement is something McNeese’s players say they are taking to

heart under rookie

head coach Justin Hill. The Cowboys completed their first practice

of the season on a crisp Saturday afternoon at Cowboy Diamond.

“It’s definitely a new attitude,” said senior outfielder Jackson Gooch. “There’s a (heck) of a work ethic on this team this

year. We’ve got a lot of upperclassmen on this team, and I think we’re all in it for the same thing: make it as far as we

can and make the most of these last years.”

The team has already been acquainted with Hill’s ways through fall practices.

“He’s really good connecting with guys,” Gooch said. “He’s got a lot of good relationships with each and every one of these

guys. You can tell everybody’s reacting to his presence much better than we did last year. Everyone’s happy and excited.”